Visiting Japan can be a very interesting experience. Japan is an unusual mixture of the traditional and ultra-modern. This can be confusing for the visitor because, although it looks quite Western, Japan is still in many ways very Oriental. For example, whenever you go into a house, you must take off your shoes. Sometimes your host will provide you with slippers. If he doesn’t, you walk round in your socks. A visitor should also expect, in more traditional houses, hotels, and restaurants, to eat kneeling down on the floor on a cushion in front of a low table. It’s a good idea to get used to eating with chopsticks, but, if you can’t manage, ask for a knife and fork. The Japanese are extremely polite and hospitable: you can nearly always find someone who speaks English ready to help you. ()

By

Visiting Japan can be a very interesting experience. Japan is an unusual mixture of the traditional and ultra-modern. This can be confusing for the visitor because, although it looks quite Western, Ja...